Humidifying system for internalcombustion engines



Deco 12,1 H950 J. A. DUNHAM 2,533,438

HUMIDIFYING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W/iTER TA NK CARBURETOR BODY WATER INJECTION FEED CHAMBER ,2/

WATER INJECTION NOZZLE JA Es A DUNHAM,

INVENTOR Deco 1950 J. A. DUNHAM 2,33,43

HUMIDIFYING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 k. w 1 f mm W I ma I. W 85 89 E) /02.

; 35 103 zziAMaEsA. DUNHAM, INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. A. DUNHAM Dec. 12 1950 HUMIDIFYING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Juna' 9, 1947 INVENTOR a JAMES A. DUNHAM,

Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFYING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINES Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a humidifying system for nonsupercharged internal combustion engines, and more particularly to means for introducing moisture, such as water, into the intake manifold of automobile engines operating with induction manifold pressures below atmospheric.

It is widely recognized that, when introduced under proper conditions, water injection increases the efiiciency of engine operation by dampening detonation or knock, reduces carbon accumulation and increases fuel economy.

An important object of the invention is to provide a humidifying system for internal combustion engines wherein water injection and reduction in the proportion of fuel to air are effected simultaneously and in predetermined parts of the throttle or water injection range.

Another object of the invention is to provide a humidifying system wherein means are afforded for automatically closing the water feed line and restoring the carburetor to normal operation if the water supply should become exhausted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide humidifying apparatus of the aforesaid character which can be readily installed upon conventional nonsupercharged automobile engines and at reasonable cost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide humidifying apparatus of the above nature which is highly efficient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the asssembled apparatus operatively connected with the carburetor and intake manifold of an automobile engine.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are vertical sectional views through the storage reservoir, the feed chamber and a line control valve respectively.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a fuel control valve.

Figure 6 is a view mainly in section of a check valve.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the injector fitting.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a valve plug employed to close the supply line from the storage reservoir.

Referring to the drawings, designates a conventional intake manifold of a non-supercharged internal combustion engine of the type used on automobiles and to the inlet passage of which is connected a carburetor 2! controlled by a throttle valve swinging about a pivot 22.

Between carburetor 2| and the manifold is mounted a gasket fitting 24 provided with a socket 25 through which is extended a radial injection tube 26 discharging within the intake passage.

To the carburetor 2| is connected a housing 28 having a tubular part 29 threadedly attached to the carburetor and a circular chamber 30 at its outer end. Within chamber 30 is mounted a flexible diaphragm 3| having fixed to its center the outer end part of a valve stem 32 axially slidable in the tubular housing and provided with sealing rings 33. A threaded shank projects rearwardly of the stem through an opening 34 in the outer wall of the chamber and carries thereon an adjustable stroke limiting nut 35 locked in set position by a wing nut 36. The inner end of stem 32 is shaped to provide a tapered valve needle 32' movable to obstruct or partially close a passage 31 through which the fuel, such as gasoline, flows to the carburetor from an inlet bore 38 for admixture with the air to form the intake charge.

The liquid to be injected into the intake charge, ordinarily water, is stored in a reservoir such as tank 40 attached by'bracket M to a suitable support on the car. Tank 40, which is conveniently of horizontally elongated form, has attached to its bottom, in registration with an opening 42, a sump fitting 43. To an outlet in the sump is fitted a discharge element 44 provided with a transverse bore 45 communicating with a vertical discharge bore 46 leading to the bore of a tube 67. A float 48, pivoted to a bracket 49 in the sump, carries a depending polygonal valve plug 59, shown enlarged at Figure 9, sliding in a vertical guide bore 44 of circular section to afford passage for the liquid therethrough. The lower end of valve plug 50 is tapered to a point so that it may seat upon the upper end of the vertical bore 43 so as to effect air-tight closure of the outlet when the water is substantially drained from the tank and sump. Tank 40 is also advantageously provided With a top vent 5i and a gauge stick 52 attached to a cap 53 normally closing the bossed filling portion 54.

Tube 47 leads to a lower chamber 56 constituting a feed chamber having a float 57 pivoted to a bracket 58 and carrying an abutment 59 to engage a valve 66 functioning to maintain the water at a predetermined level in the chamber 55. The Water is fed from this chamber through a T-fitting 6! attached to a tapped outlet in the bottom of the chamber 53. On the top of chamber 56 is fitted a valve 62 in which is mounted a vertically slidable valve plug 63 biased by spring 64 to normally close a vent passage 65 in the top of the valve. A stem 6'! of plug 63 depends into the chamber 56 and through an opening 63 in a bracket 69 on a float is pivoted to a support bracket ll. Another valve 12 on chamber 56 has a Valve plug 13 normally held in position between a vertical top passage 14 and a bottom angular passage 15. Valve plug 13 is held in the passage by a stem '16 depending into the chamber 56 with its lower end abutting the top of an arm TI projecting from one end of fioat 10. A conduit 18 connects passage 75 with the inlet side of the T-fitting 6|. A T-fitting l9, connected with pas.- sage 14, has one side connected with the lateral passage 66 by a tube 80.

The other side of T-fitting 19 has a tube 83 connected therewith and running to an inlet 84 in the body 85 of a line control valve 86. In a longitudinal bore 8'! in body or housing 85 is slidably fitted a valve 88 having reduced spaced apart ports 89 and a plurality of packing rings 90. Valve 88 is also provided with an axial passage 9! of relatively small diameter opening into adjacent ports thereof. To an inlet 92 of valve 86 is connected one end of a tube 93 leading from the outlet side of T-fitting SI of the intermediate water feed chamber 55. To an outlet 9e offset with relation to inlet 92 is fitted a tube 95 leading to socket 25 of gasket 2 to feed the injection tube 26. In this feed line is mounted a check valve 91 in the body 98 of which is an axially slidable valve plug 99 urged by a spring to the inlet side to tightly close the line against fluid flow to the injector tube, when not unseated against the action of the spring by suction induced in the line from the engine intake manifold. To an outlet I02, in alinement with inlet 84, is connected a conduit I03 running to and connected with the inner wall of chamber 39.

When the engine is not in operation or is operating at low throttle both the water feed and vacuum lines are closed by retraction of valve 88. As soon as the throttle valve is opened to a predetermined position initiating a selected throttle or water injection range, arm I0! is swung to actuate rod I O5 and slide valve 88 from a position closing the line ports of body 85 to a position wherein the ports permit water flow from inlet 9 2 through passage 9 l and outlet 94 and the water feed line to nozzle 26 to inject by vacuum into the engine intake manifold with the fuel mixture. Simultaneously therewith valve 88 affords connection between inlet 84 and passage I02 to open the line to the chamber of the fuel control valve 28. With sufiicient water in the supply chamber 40, water is supplied to tank 56 and is fed therefrom to the water feed line. At such time valve 63 retains vent port 65 closed, while valve 13 is open to provide communication between conduit 83. and T--6l having the restricted orifice 6|. Thus, the reduced pressure induced in the water feedline by the engine intake manifold suction creates a partial vacuum in the line into chamber 30 with the result that atmospheric pressure through opening 34 moves diaphragm 3i overcoming the resistance of spring load 3|" so as to slide stem 32 inward and cause needle 32 to move into passage 31 whereby to reduce the intakeof gasoline from passage 38. This action leans the fuel mixture by reducing the proportion of fuel to air at such time as water is injected. When the throttle is reduced below the desired water injection range valve 88 is pulled to a position closing the line ports whereupon the water flow to the engine intake manifold is promptly discontinued and vacuum to valve 2 8 is blocked off allowing spring 3| to retract needle 32' from the fuel flow restricting position in pase sage 31 thereby restoring the carburetor to normal operation.

If, by reason of leakage or other cause, the

water in the supply tank 40 becomes exhausted to a predetermined degree, valve 50 will close conduit 41 to prevent passage of air therethrough and consequent drainage of the water from chamber 56 will cause the floats 51 and 10 to drop. In consequence thereof, float 10 will pull stem 61 together with valve 63 downward overcoming the resistance of spring 64 so that conduit is opened to the atmosphere through vent 65 and the chamber 56 is closed against entry of air through this valve. At the same time valve 73 drops, by gravity, to close angular outlet 15 and communication between conduit 83 and T6l. As a result the line to chamber 30 is discontinued from the water feed line and is opened to the atmosphere allowing spring 31 to retract needle 32' om t e ue flow restric i o on in a sage 31 and the carburetor is thereby restored to normal operation, that is operation without Water injection and with the fuel proportioned to the air in the carburetor as customarily under engine operation where humidification is not employed. Therefore, even though exhaustion of water supply should occur while the engine is operating in the upper throttle range at which water injection would ordinarily take place and with the valve 88 controlling the water feed and vacuum operable fuel valve control lines open, immediate restoration to normal non-humidifying operation will automatically occur. Moreover, this is efiected so as to eliminate any flow of unmetered air into the engine intake manifold through the injector or interference with the ordinary operation of the carburetor.

Consequently, the apparatus provides means for automatically cutting in the humidifying action in a predetermined throttle or Water injeetion range and to render it completely inoperative when the water supply is exhausted t o be n to d t a the fo m f my nv -n e ewith. o n. and d s ri i to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subj'oined claims.

Having thus set forth m invention, I claim:

n uinldi yine p a atus o i e bustion engines, a valve housing adapted for connection with a carburetor and having a c mb r at t ter nd c osin a d phr a valve stem having one end fixed to the diaphragm and slidable in said housing, said stem having a valve needle movable within a passage in the carburetor for controllin the passage of 7 1 th e h ou a spri g i e v ur in said diaphragrn toward one side of said chamher and. t e stem to r ted. po on. a c duit connected to, one wall o Said, chamber whereby to, create a vacuum in the chamber to move the diaphragm in opposition to said spring and said needle valve to, passage obstructing position, and an abutment on said stem for adjustably limiting the stroke of said stem.

2. 1n humidi l apparatus for internal combustion engines having water feed and vacuum conduits, a valve housing having connection with aid duit a al e s idable. in s id housing operable to. close said conduits, and linkage attached to said slide valve for connection with a carburetor throttle valve to open and. close said, conduits; in. predetermined parts, of the throttle range.

I hu dii ne pp ratus o a consum charged internal combustion engine. haying water feed and vacuum conduits, a valve housing having connection with said conduits, a means in said housing operable to close said conduits, and linkage attached to said means for connection with a carburetor throttle valve to open and close said conduits in predetermined parts of the water injection range.

4. A humidifying apparatus having water feed and vacuum conduits adapted for connection with the fuel intake manifold and carburetor of a nonsupercharged internal combustion engine comprising: a source of water supply including a sump, a feed chamber, said water feed conduits feeding water from said source of supply through said sump and in turn said feed chamber into the fuel intake manifold, engine vacuum operable valve means connected with said water feed chamber and conduits for controlling admission of fuel into the carburetor for admixture with air therein, means manually settable and subsequently automatically operable to admit water by vacuum into the intake manifold and simultaneously by said engine vacuum operable valve means reduce the proportion of fuel to air in the carburetor in a predetermined water injection range of the carburetor, and means in the supply tank sump and in the feed chamber for automatically preventing the admission of unmetered air to the engine intake manifold, said means in said feed chamber shutting off suction to and venting to atmosphere said engine vacuum operable valve means whereby to restore normal operation of the engine when the water in the source of supply becomes exhausted.

5. In apparatus having water feed and vacuum conduits for injecting water by vacuum into the intake manifold of a non-supercharged internal combustion engine, the combination with a throttle valve controlled carburetor attached to the fuel intake manifold of an engine; of a water supply tank having an air vent, a sump for said tank, a feed chamber having an air vent, said conduits feeding water from said tank and feed chamber into the fuel intake manifold, engine vacuum operable valve means for regulating the proportion of fuel to air in said carburetor, said engine vacuum operable regulating valve means having connection with the water feed chamber and conduits so as to cause reduction in the proportion of fuel to air in the carburetor when water is fed by vacum to the intake manifold, control means connected to said water feed and vacuum conduits and operable in conjunction with the carburetor throttle valve whereby water is fed by vacuum into the engine intake manifold only Within a predetermined part of the water injection range, and means in the supply tank sump and in the feed chamber operative to automatically close the water supply tank conduit, the vacuum conduit, and the feed chamber to the air vent so as to prevent the admission of unmetered air from the supply tank and feed chamber to the engine intake manifold, said means carried by the feed chamber shutting off suction and venting to atmosphere the engine vacuum operable valve means to restore the carburetor to normal operation in the event that the water supply should become exhausted.

6. In apparatus having water feed and vacuum conduits for injecting water by vacuum into the fuel intake manifold of a nonsupercharged internal combustion engine between the carburetor throttle valve and the intake manifold, a water supply tank vented to atmosphere including a sump, a feed chamber having an air vent, said water feed conduits being adapted for feeding water from said tank into the engine intake manifold, an engine vacuum operable valve for controlling the proportion of fuel to air in said carburetor connected with the water feed chamber and water and vacuum conduits so as to cause reduction in the proportion of fuel to air in the carburetor when water is being fed into the intake manifold, feedv control means connected with said water and vacuum conduits operative with the throttle valve whereby water is caused to be injected by vacuum and the fuel mixture reduced in strength by said engine vacuum operable valve only during operation within a predetermined part of the water injection range, and means in the supply tank sump and in the feed chamber operative to automatically close the water supply tank conduit, the vacuum conduit, and the feed chamber to the air vent so as to prevent the admission of unmetered air from the supply tank and feed chamber to the engine intake manifold and by said means in the feed chamber simultaneously automatically shutting off vacuum to and venting to atmosphere the engine vacuum operable valve to restore the carburetor to normal operation when the Water in the supply tank becomes exhausted.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 and, said feed control means comprising a valve housing ,having connection with said water feed and vacuum conduits, a valve slidable in said housing operable to close said conduits, and linkage attached to said slide valve for connection with said carburetor throttle valve to open and close said conduits in predetermined parts of the water injection range.

8. In humidifying apparatus having water feed and vacuum conduits for injecting Water by vacuum into the fuel intake manifold of a nonsupercharged internal combustion engine between the carburetor throttle valve and the intake manifold, a water supply tank vented to atmosphere including a sump, a feed chamber having an air vent, said water feed conduits being adapted for feeding water by vacuum created in said vacuum conduits from said tank through said feed chamber into the engine intake manifold, a vacuum operable valve for controlling the proportion of fuel to air in said carburetor, said valve being connected with the Water feed chamber and conduits so as to cause a reduction in the proportion of fuel to air in the carburetor when water is being fed by vacuum into the intake manifold, said vacuum operable valve having an inner chamber connected to said vacuum conduits, feed control means connected to said water feed and vacuum conduits operative with the throttle valve whereby water is caused to be injected by vacuum and the fuel mixture reduced in strength by said vacuum operable valve only during operation within a predetermined part of the throttle range, and means in the supply tank sump and in the feed chamber operative to automatically close the supply tank conduit, the vacuum conduit, and the feed chamber to the air vent so as to prevent the admission of unmetered air from the supply tank and feed chamber to the engine intake manifold, the latter means being simultaneously operative automatically to shut off suction and vent to atmosphere the vacuum operable valve and thereby restore the carburetor to normal operation when the water in the supply tank becomes exhausted,said water supply tank closing means comprising a float actuated valve in said sump adapted to close said supply tank conduit when the water is substantially exhausted from the water supply tank, said water feed chamber carrying a float, a vacuum shut ofi valve and an atmospheric air bleed valve carried by said water feed chamber and actuated by said float, said feed chamber air vent being included in said air bleed valve, said vacuum operable valve having a valve housing adapted for connection with the carburetor and having a chamber at its outer end closing a diaphragm, a valve stem having one end fixed t the diaphragm and slidable in said housing, said stem having a valve needle movable within a passage in the carburetor for controllin the passage of fuel therethrough, a spring yieldable to urge said diaphragm toward one side of said outer chamber and the stem to retracted position, said vacuum operable valve closing the connection between the feed chamber conduit and the fuel control valve when water is substantially exhausted from the feed chamber, said atmospheric air bleed valve venting said inner chamber of the vacuum operable valve to atmosphere thereby allowing the spring load in the latter valve to retract the valve needle from the fuel restricting position in the carburetor fuel passage and restore the carburetor to normal fuel metering, said atmospheric air bleed valve being seatable on its seat by said float thereby to prevent unmetered' air from entering the engine intake manifold from said water feed chamber. 9. The subject matter of claim 6 and, said feed control means comprising a. valve housing having connection with said water feed and vacuum conduits, a means in said housing operable to close said conduits, said linkage attached to said means for connection with said carburetor throttle valve to open said conduits in. a predetermined part of the water injecting range 10. In humidifying apparatus for injecting water by Vacuum into the fuel intake manifold of a nonsupercharged' internal. combustion engine between the carburetor throttle valve and the intake manifold, comprising; a water. supply tank having an atmospheric vent and including, a sump, a feed chamber, a first water conduit through which. water passes from said supply tank to said feed chamber, float. regulated valve means carried by' said; feed. chamber. to meter the flow of water from said supply tank to said feed chamber to maintain a predetermined level' of water therein, a valve in said sump and a gravity operable float in said sump operatively connected with: said sump valve to at times close the latter valve and thereby prevent the flow of air therepast in the event the water supply in said tank. becomes exhausted, a second water conduit through which water is fed from said feed. chamher into the engine intake manifold, an air bleed valve and a vacuum shut ofivalve, each of the two" latter valves being chambered ina separate valve housing. carried by said feed chamber, said air bleed valve housing having an air bleed vent, a first vacuum conduit, one end of, said vacuum conduit being connected to said second. said conduit and the other. end. thereof being connected to said vacuum shut off valve housing, a second float carried by said feed iii) chamber, said vacuum shut off valve having a stem connected to said second feed chamber float, there being a clearance space around said stem through which said vacuum conduit communicates with the interior of said feed chamber, the fall of the water inv said feed chamber seating said vacuum shut off valve on its seat to close communication between the first said said vacuum conduit and the chamber in which said vacuum shut off valve reciprocates, and the rise of the water in said feed chamber unseating said vacuum shut ofi valve and opening communication between said second said vacuum conduit and said vacuum shut off valve chamber, said air bleed valve having a stem projectin through an opening in its housing which is in axial alinement with said air bleed vent, the latter stem having a loose connection with said second feed chamber float, a spring in said air bleed valve housing normall tending to elevate said air bleed valve into a seating relation with its bleed vent except when unseated by the fall of water in said feed tank, the fall of water in said feed tank causing said loose connecttion to positively engage with said second feed chamber float whereby to overcome said springs opposition and seat said air bleed valve on the mouth of said opening lying nearest the latter valve, a second vacuum conduit placing the valve chambers of said air bleed valve and said vacuum shut ofi valve in communication, said air bleed valve when seated upon said mouth opening as aforesaid opening communication between said air bleed vent and said second said vacuum conduit and closing communication be tween the latter conduit and said feed chamber, an engine vacuum operable valve for controlling the proportion of fuel to air in said carburetor, a third vacuum conduit connecting the latter valve to said vacuum shut off valve, said second vacuum conduit and in turn said air bleed valve together with said vacuum shut off valve dually connecting said engine vacuum operable valve through the medium of said third vacuum conduit to said feed chamber, said third' vacuum conduit through the medium of said vacuum shut ofi valve and the first said vacuum conduit placing said engine vacuum operable valve in communication with said second said water conduit so as to cause reduction in the propor tion of fuel to aid in the carburetor when water is being fed into the intake manifold, and feed control means connected with said water and vacuum conduits operative with the throttle valve whereby water is caused to be injected by vacuum and the fuel: mixture reduced in strength by said engine vacuum operable valve only during. operation within a predetermined part of the water injection range.

JAMES A. DUN-HAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

